NANOMED ROUND TABLE · Nanomedicine ethical, regulatory, social and economic environment

The fundamental objective of this Round Table exercise is to respond substantially to the need for genuine engagement and involvement of all the key stakeholders (public and private) in the nanomedical field in preparing the groundwork for optimised and collective decision-making at the European level. Although very promising, nanomedicine may add new dimensions to many ethical, social and economic issues. It is of primary importance to understand its possible impacts and provide for stakeholders a well-organised forum. The Round Table will bring together representatives from the nanomedical sciences and technologies involved, industry, patient groups, regulatory bodies, health insurance and policy making, and experts on the ethical, regulatory, social, economic and public engagement and communication and issues. The goal will be to: - collect the most relevant information to be discussed of: - actual achievements and, separately, promises of nanomedical innovation - recommendations issued by the European Commission, Member States and exercises carried out by various national and international bodies - present these in a “user-friendly” format appropriate for each of the main stakeholder groups with questions to be discussed - carry out a consensual debate concluding with agreed recommendations between various positions The Round Table will have important impacts by: - establishing a clear set of recommendations to support decision making at the European level - identifying priority areas for research and development and for societal actions - significantly enhancing the flow of knowledge reciprocally between each of the key stakeholder groups along the chain from research to patient - helping to reduce fragmentation in nanomedical research across Europe - contributing to mobilising additional public and private investment in nanomedical R&D in Europe - and overall thereby stimulating innovation in nanobiotechnologies for medical use